Bokoshe is a small town located in LeFlore county in
southeastern Oklahoma. Oklahoma Highway 31 runs through downtown
Bokoshe.
The town of Bokoshe, was sometimes called Shake Rag, because the
only way the train would stop was for someone to flag it down.
Sometime in the 1880s or 90s the town was named officially,
Bokoshe, sometimes pronounced Bokosha, (locals pronounce Bokoshe
as follows: B-Koa-She.) the real name was Bok, the Choctaw word
for a body of water, (creek or river), ishi, the Choctaw word
for little. Thus Bokishi, "little creek".
The town of Bokoshe was incorporated on April 4, 1879, in what
as known as Old Bokoshe, located northwest of present day
Bokoshe. The main town was platted in 1899, and later the
Bissell Addition which comprises the majority of the residential
area was added to the town of Bokoshe.
Bokoshe once was a large town with many businesses including two
motels, a bank, several stores, a movie theater, skating rink, a
cotton mill and several other businesses. In its early existence
Bokoshe had a population of over 2000 residents. The principal
occupation of the area was the coal mining industry. As late as
the 1960's and even into the 1970's coal mining in the immediate
area was a big business with shipments in the thousands of
dollars of Bokoshe "Smokeless" coal being shipped from the area.
A large number of retired miners still live in the area. In the
late 60's and 70's the natural gas boom hit the area and now a
large number of heavy producing gas wells are in the area which
has meant a good income for land and royalty owners.
Today, Bokoshe has a population of about 434 people (1996 U.S.
Census). The present day town is home to convenience stores,
beauty shops, cafes, agricultural supply stores, construction
companies, flower & gift shops, and other family owned
businesses. Many of the people that live in Bokoshe commute to
Fort Smith, Poteau, and other cities.
Created: 05 Nov 2009
Updated:
11 Nov 2009
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